Constant spark WITHOUT cranking engine

[lessersivad]

Well this is a new one to me.

Vehicle; 1989 Festiva EFI AUTOMATIC (Red headed step child of Festivas)

It's been sitting for a while so I thought I'd see about reviving it. Drove to where it was parked so I figured simply installing a battery and possibly fresh gas would be all it would take.

Got it into the garage and hooked up battery charger to an 'iffy' battery and let it sit over night. This morning it would crank but no start. Jumpered the under hood fuel pump connector and the pump runs. Checked for spark and nuttin'.

HOWEVER after checking a couple of times I got A spark upon releasing the key from the 'start' position. So I kept turning the key from start to run a few more times and still crank but no spark UNTIL I hit a certain spot with the key and I had CONSTANT SPARK WITHOUT the engine turning over. Yup, dead still on engine rotation (NOT getting the key to the 'start' position) and almost 'Tesla coil' spark!!

When I got the ONE spark upon releasing the key from 'start' I figured ignition switch contacts were going to be the culprit but with the constant spark without engine rotation I'm not so sure.

Anyone ever run across this sort of thing??

[WmWatt]

I'd spray some WD-40 into the keyhole on the ignition switch and work it around with the key to clean off any crud in the switch. May have to do it a few times.

[lessersivad]

I'd spray some WD-40 into the keyhole on the ignition switch and work it around with the key to clean off any crud in the switch. May have to do it a few times.

Yup, did that. No change other than now there is NO spark at all. had to stop working on it do to another thing I had to do. May mess with it a bit tomorrow or the next day. Thanks for the reply.

[firebush357]

I have never heard of that problem before... Good Luck